Dull rings and pale spots on polished marble are usually etching, not a stain. They appear when acidic substances react with calcite-based stone such as marble, travertine and limestone. Light etch marks can be polished out by hand with MB-11 Marble Etch Remover & Polishing Powder. Deeper marks need diamond pads on a hand machine first. This guide shows you how to tell which you have and how to fix both.
First: is it a light etch or a deep etch?
Run a fingertip or fingernail over the mark.
- Smooth: it is a light etch or water ring. You can remove it by hand with MB-11. Go to Light etch marks and water rings.
- Rough: the etch is deeper. It needs Flexi diamond pads on a hand machine first, then a finish with MB-11. Go to Deep or rough etch marks.
MB-11 is designed for polished, light-coloured marble, travertine and other calcite-based stone. Always test on a small, hidden area first. If you are unsure, you can send us a picture of your stone and we will advise.
What you need
- MB-11 Marble Etch Remover & Polishing Powder, 100 g. One tub treats about 20 small etch marks, each about the size of a 10p coin.
- Two clean microfibre cloths: one to apply MB-11, one to buff dry
- Cleaner No.2, pH-neutral natural stone cleaner (the 250 ml Ready to Use spray is easiest)
- A spray bottle of clean water, and gloves
- For deep etch: Flexi HD 6″ diamond pads (400, 800, 1500 and 3000 grit), plus a hand machine such as a Flex or DeWalt polisher, or any orbital sander, with a suitable 5″ or 6″ hook-and-loop backing pad
- Optional, to seal against everyday stains afterwards: All in One Water Based Sealer
We have put these together in three kits:
- MB-11 Marble Etch & Water Ring Kit: MB-11, 2 microfibre cloths and Cleaner No.2 250 ml. For light etch marks, by hand.
- MB-11 Deep Etch Repair Kit with Flexi Diamond Pads: the above plus Flexi HD 6″ pads in 400, 800, 1500 and 3000 grit. Hand machine and backing pad not included.
- MB-11 Marble Etch Repair & Seal Kit: MB-11, 3 microfibre cloths, Cleaner No.2 250 ml and All in One sealer 250ml. Repair by hand, then seal.
Light etch marks and water rings: by hand with MB-11
- Wear gloves. Always wear gloves when using MB-11.
- Check the etch. Run a fingertip or fingernail over the mark. If it feels smooth, it is a light etch and MB-11 by hand is the right method. If it feels rough, use the Flexi diamond pads first (see the Deep Etch Repair Kit).
- Test first. Test on a small, hidden area first to check compatibility.
- Apply MB-11. Put about 1/8 teaspoon of MB-11 directly on the etch mark.
- Mist with water. Spray with clean water so the powder is good and wet.
- Rub firmly. Fold a microfibre cloth and rub the wet powder firmly in a circular motion, then in fast straight strokes, easing off the pressure as you finish.
- Clean off with Cleaner No.2. Spray the area with Cleaner No.2 (250 ml Ready to Use, straight from the bottle) and wipe the residue away.
- Buff dry. Buff the area dry with a second, clean microfibre cloth. Do not use the cloth you used to apply MB-11.
- Inspect and repeat if needed. Check the area and repeat the process as necessary.
A little goes a long way: about 1/8 teaspoon per mark, and about 20 small marks (each about the size of a 10p coin) per 100 g tub.
Video: MB-11® demonstration by MB Stone Care, the makers of MB-11. In the video they clean up with their own MB-15 cleaner; we use TileMaster Cleaner No.2.
Deep or rough etch marks: Flexi diamond pads, then MB-11
If the mark still feels rough, polishing powder alone will not remove it. The surface has to be refined with diamond pads first.
- You need a hand machine. The Flexi HD 6″ pads cannot be used by hand. Fit them to a hand machine such as a Flex or DeWalt polisher, or any orbital sander, with a suitable 5″ or 6″ hook-and-loop (velcro) backing pad. Machine and backing pad not included.
- Prepare the area. Wear gloves. Mask any metal trims, taps and silicone near where you will be polishing. Work in small sections.
- Start with the 400 grit (red). For noticeable etching or matt patches, start at 400. Keep the surface damp to control dust and slurry (the Flexi pads can be used wet or dry).
- Work through the grits. Go 400 → 800 → 1500 → 3000, rinsing and wiping away the slurry between grits. Use light, even pressure with overlapping passes, and keep the pad flat and moving.
- Finish with MB-11. Once the area feels smooth again, finish by hand with MB-11 to bring back the polish (steps below).
- Clean and finish by hand. Follow the MB-11 steps above: about 1/8 teaspoon on the area, mist with water, rub firmly, clean off with Cleaner No.2 and buff dry with a second clean cloth.
The Flexi pads cannot be used by hand, and no hand machine or backing pad is included in our kits. If you don’t have a suitable machine, or the etching covers a large area, get in touch and we can advise.
Marble worktops, tables and vanities
Kitchen worktops
Worktops etch where acidic spills sit on the stone. Vinegar, for example, is acidic and causes etching, so blot any spill straight away. Small, smooth marks can be treated by hand with the Marble Etch & Water Ring Kit; rough marks need the Deep Etch Repair Kit and a hand machine. Work one mark at a time and buff each area dry before moving on.
Tables
Water rings on a polished marble table are what MB-11 is designed for: spot polishing most water stains or rings. Check each ring with the fingernail test, then treat it separately with about 1/8 teaspoon of MB-11, and use your second clean cloth to buff the area dry.
Vanities and sinks
On vanity tops and around basins, avoid acidic cleaners and descalers on marble, travertine and limestone. If you use the diamond pads near taps, trims or silicone, mask them first. Clean the area with Cleaner No.2 and buff dry.
Optional: seal against everyday stains
Once the repaired area is clean and completely dry, you can seal it with All in One Water Based Sealer, a water-based impregnating sealer that gives invisible, breathable protection against oil- and water-based stains without forming a film or changing the look of most surfaces.
- Test on a small area first and allow 24 hours to cure, then check the finish, any colour change and the level of protection.
- Apply one generous, even coat to saturate the surface. It should hold a wet, glass-like look for about 5 seconds.
- After about 10 minutes, and before it dries on the surface, buff off any excess with clean, dry white cloths.
- On highly absorbent stone, apply a second coat after 3 hours.
- Allow 48 hours before the surface gets wet or comes into contact with possible stains.
A sealer will not stop etching. All in One is not suitable for protection against acid or chemical damage, surface wear or scratching.
Can you stop etching for good?
Not with anything you can apply yourself. Sealers help against everyday staining, but no sealer stops acids etching marble. For permanent protection against etching, our sister company AntiEtch offers MORE AntiEtch®, which they describe as “a UV-cured clear coating for marble and natural stone”. Their team applies it professionally on site. It is a premium service, not a product you can apply yourself. Find out more at antietch.co.uk.
Day to day, clean marble with Cleaner No.2 at 1:200 (one cap in 5 litres of water), which dries streak-free with no rinsing, and avoid vinegar and acidic cleaners.
Safety summary
- MB-11: wear gloves, and safety glasses to protect your eyes. Use in a well-ventilated area. Avoid contact with eyes and skin; in case of contact, rinse immediately with water. Do not ingest. Keep away from children and pets. Test on a small area first.
- Cleaner No.2: not classified as hazardous under CLP. Contains 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol (1–10%), which can irritate the eyes. P102: Keep out of reach of children. P280: Wear protective gloves/eye protection.
- All in One Water Based Sealer: Warning. H315: Causes skin irritation. EUH066: Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking. P280: Wear protective gloves/eye protection.
- Flexi pads: for a hand machine or orbital sander only. Follow your machine manufacturer’s instructions.
- Always read the product labels and the Safety Data Sheets before use: MB-11 SDS · Cleaner No.2 SDS · All in One Water Based Sealer SDS.